Core to our mission is helping our audience and community reach their full potential and the most important part of reaching your full potential is starting to find your purpose. Below, we’ve shared stories and insights from the community around how various folks found their purpose and we hope it helps you in your journey.
Sonali Krish
I came into this world a whirlwind – early on I learned to move between two currents at once: the culture of my family and the pull to assimilate into another world outside our home. Both offered gifts, both demanded survival, and in the middle I often felt the weight of trying to belong to them all. Read More>>
Heather Hughes
My store was born out of a simple need—to create natural, healthy products for myself and my family. What began as small batches at home quickly grew when I realized others in my community wanted the same safe, effective alternatives. Over time, the purpose grew beyond the products. Read More>>
Megan DiVincenzo
I found my purpose when I realized that my law career, while rewarding, was taking a toll on my mental health. After experiencing anxiety and a panic attack in court, I knew I needed a change. Read More>>
Chirome Johnson
The way I found my purpose was when I realized, how the world was changing. So much negativity is floating around us. Someone has to make a change. So we can bring forth more unity among each, within this world. Read More>>
Izabela Bos
I found my purpose by leaning into curiosity and creativity. For a long time, I thought purpose had to come in one big “aha” moment, but in reality, it revealed itself through small steps — following what inspired me, paying attention to what felt meaningful, and noticing when I felt most connected to others. Read More>>
Kadrien Yelsom
I found my purpose by realizing that it had been chasing me all along. At eight years old, I picked up a camera to make kids’ movies. Even when I stepped away—first into football, where I learned discipline, work ethic, and never cutting corners—the creative spark kept circling back. Read More>>
Dr. Chase Skylar DeMayo
Thank you for reaching out and giving me the chance to share my story. I’m Dr. Chase Skylar DeMayo, a U.S. Air Force veteran, holistic counselor, and someone who’s been through the wringer but come out chasing the light on the other side. Read More>>
Mandi Casey
For 24 years, I built a career in wireless communications. It was successful, rewarding, and for a long time, I thought it would always be the thing that defined me. Then the world shifted during Covid. Suddenly, I found myself back in the kitchen, cooking and writing again. What started as a way to fill the quiet turned into something that filled my soul. Read More>>
Seko Varner
I often say I didn’t really “find” my purpose—it revealed itself through the different chapters of my life. I was born in Brooklyn, raised in Ohio, and came to Virginia in 1990. My parents laid the foundation: they taught me faith, exposed me to Pan-African culture, and always reminded me that every action should improve the family and community. Read More>>
Juliette Kristine
I manifested my purpose by choosing to surrender what looked right and instead align my life with what felt true. At 20, not long after my mum passed away, I was offered a highly sought-after role in luxury marketing. Read More>>
Mary Kazmir
I believe the purpose I found to create and develop the persona of CLE Goose Girl and her educational program for elementary school students, adults and recovering addicts came from an unlikely place and unique set of circumstances. I was working as a dog handler for a company that manages nuisance Canada geese. A job I didn’t know existed 3 years ago. Read More>>
Ken Burwood
So many paths and twists and turns. It might seem all over the place, but everything below plays a role in finding my purpose, and there’s so much more that I could write also! Even though I’m focusing on some of my challenges here, I’ve also had MANY good times in life. Honestly, I’ve had more positive times than negative times! Read More>>
Brittany Leary
To get straight to the point, I went on a self discovery journey that not only allowed me to find myself but also revealed that once my vision was clear, that my purpose here was to serve others in the same way that my journey is serving me. Read More>>
Joelle Brian
I think that when you are a child you are most likely to show sings on what you truly have a passion for. Whether that be wanting singing as a child and wanting to be a performer or gravitate towards trucks and putting out fires because you want to be a firefighter. Read More>>
Peter Joseph
Before entering the insurance industry, I spent 24 years in the nonprofit sector. I wanted to provide my family with greater financial stability while utilizing my servant’s heart in a field that aligned with my values. Read More>>
Bianca Arellano
Finding art for me did not come in instant nor did I know as a small child. Although, I have always dabbled in creative fields it was not until 2019 during the COVID pandemic when it began. I struggled immensely with my mental health during this time but as a way to cope with my anxiety I learned/explored Adobe photoshop. Read More>>
Guy Balbaert
Initially, I recognised my purpose early on, but I struggled with confidence and often compared myself to others whom I saw as more talented, articulate, or educated. Over time, I realized that I was only competing with myself, and comparing myself to others was unproductive. Growing up in a family where music and words were always present, those passions felt natural to me. Read More>>
Kenneth Thrower
This question to me at this current time feels very relevant to me at the moment as I am going through a rather difficult time. I think knowing and fulfilling your purpose in life is most likely the most important aspect to finding happiness and contentment in life and it isn’t always easy to figure out or know what your purpose is. Read More>>
Jamie Sanderson
I found my purpose, or calling, 12 years ago when it relates to Georgetown Foodland/The Culinary Encourager, however, I’ve always been a person who sought to give kindness, show appreciation, and motivate others. The culinary industry just resonates so much with me so it’s why I chose to devote my energy and time to it. I’ve always been considered different from others. Read More>>
Stella Love
From a very young age, I have always felt different — as though there was something more I was meant to do on this earth. Deep inside, I carried the desire to travel the world and serve through missionary work. One day, I saw a friend feeding homeless people. Moved by his kindness, I decided to join him. Read More>>
Divershines
Purpose isn’t something you find, it’s something you live. That has been our greatest lesson. True purpose reveals itself when personal experiences turn into commitment, and when what you’ve lived becomes a driver for impact. For me, it came through my neurodiverse son, who showed me that opening doors for him also meant opening doors for many families. Read More>>
Kaitlyn Foster
I found my purpose through a combination of my professional experience and my personal journey into motherhood. As a pediatric nurse practitioner and seasoned NICU nurse, I saw firsthand the significant need for support during the postpartum period. However, it was my own experience as a mom that truly inspired me. Read More>>
Rachel Latham
I found my purpose by navigating my own health struggles and realizing just how flawed our current system is. So much of healthcare is reactive—it waits for you to get sick or for symptoms to spiral before offering a solution. That approach left me feeling powerless when I was struggling with my own health challenges. Read More>>
Justin Chernow
The journey to finding my purpose arose from both experiential and intellectual pursuits. It began when I was studying cultural and medical anthropology at Pomona College. Fascinated by different concepts of health, healing, and wholeness, I was especially drawn to the ways indigenous cultures sought to restore imbalances of emotion, mind, body, and spirit. But reading about it wasn’t enough Read More>>
Christine Morrison
My purpose revealed itself gradually through personal and professional experiences — and the persistent gaps I saw in the narrative around aging. At the turn of the century, while working on the Olay skincare business, I was immersed in consumer insights and advertising strategy. Olay, like its competitors, had long leaned into “anti-aging” language, but we were shifting the brand toward empowering messaging. Read More>>
Mindi Getz
I found my purpose by being the case most doctors couldn’t crack. I was the guinea pig. The ‘we aren’t sure so try this’ case. All of this meant lots of pills, lots of appointments, and plenty of side effects. I was also the loner. The kid picked last for every single game in gym class. Read More>>
Zulekha ‘Zee’ Pitts
I didn’t stumble on my purpose. It revealed itself in layers. For me, it started in the performing arts. That was my first love, my first stage, my first taste of what it meant to move people with a performance. Later, journalism became part of my scholarly career. Read More>>
Maya Acra
Short Version: “ When I was 16, I represented Japan at Model United Nations, won a diplomacy award, and was even offered a scholarship to study International Affairs. But a conversation with a diplomat who admitted his big speech changed nothing made me realize that field would frustrate me. I wanted to make real impact, not just deliver nice speeches in fancy hotels. Read More>>
Melissa Philippe
I found my purpose by paying attention to the spaces where I felt both called and needed. In my work with women, families, and communities, I saw the gaps in holistic wellness, spiritual care, and education, and I realised I could create a space to fill them. That became Rooted in Wisdom. Read More>>
Kayla Gladney
How I found my purpose is from the adversity I’ve endured . As the woman I am today , I had to find my creative aspects in my field of artistry through hurt and pain . Hurt and pain fuels my creativity. Read More>>
Rossana D’Antonio
Thanks for the opportunity to chat with you. I love the idea of a bold journey because aren’t we all on bold journeys? For over three decades, I’ve devoted my career to public service—first as a civil engineer, then as a leader in infrastructure and community development. Read More>>
Amy McGann
Well, I definitely didn’t stumble into my purpose. I carried it with me through a string of careers — from corporate offices to ski patrol lines to firefighting shifts — always chasing the same question: what makes this work feel worth it? What I realized is that it was never about the job title. Read More>>
Darrian Teams
I found my purpose by starting with my own journey. Learning to balance the demands of motherhood and everyday life, while caring for myself. I was always pouring into others and neglecting myself. Read More>>
Fernanda Barragan
I discovered my purpose the first time I applied a lipstick. I rediscovered it the first time I produced one. I’ve been in love with makeup for as long as I can remember. At just three years old, I would line up all my makeup along the rim of the bed of my dad’s pickup truck. Read More>>
